The System's chime announcing Tier 1 Unlocked resonated in Rhyse's mind, a clear, hopeful note cutting through the exhaustion of the long day. The [INVENTORY] and [BASIC MANA-TECH CRAFTING] tabs now glowed with accessibility on the azure interface, and the [ACQUISITION] menu promised new possibilities. He had his team – Vance, Lyra, and Thorne – contracted and due to formally begin their duties in the morning. For now, the immediate pressure of their selection was off.
He leaned back in his father's chair, the weight of the day settling, but an eager curiosity pushed through the fatigue. What did Tier 1 truly offer? He focused his intent, navigating the System to the [ACQUISITION - TIER 1] tab.
The options that unfurled were a significant step up from the rudimentary offerings of Tier 0.
[ACQUISITION - TIER 1]
Skills:
[Reinforced Personal Ward (Rank 1)] - Duration 30 Min, Enhanced Resilience. Cost: 1,500 Gold
[Sensory Enhancement Suite (Rank 1) - Hearing & Basic Arcane Trace Detection.] - Duration 2 Hours. Cost: 1,200 Gold
[Passive Skill: Elementary Cryptography (Rank 1) - Basic Ciphers & Rune Sequences.] Cost: 2,000 Gold
[Skill: Rapid Assessment (Personnel - Rank 1) - Faster, slightly more detailed integrity/capability scan than Basic.] Cost: 2,500 Gold
[Passive Skill: Basic Leadership Aura (Passive - Rank 0) - Minor positive influence on direct subordinates.] Cost: 3,000 Gold
Schematics (For Basic Mana-Tech Crafting):
[Schematic: Minor Alert Rune (Audible & System Alert)] Cost: 750 Gold
[Schematic: Personalized Warding Amulet (Rank 0 Defense)] Cost: 1,200 Gold
[Schematic: Encrypted Comm-Stone (Short Range, Basic Encryption)] Cost: 1,000 Gold
Consumables (Tier 1):
[Greater Nutrient Paste Concentrate (Full Day Sustenance)] Cost: 50 Gold
[Minor Revitalization Draught (Reduces Fatigue)] Cost: 300 Gold
ANALYTICAL AIDS & DATA ACCESS (Tier 1):
[Analytical Framework: Hostile Faction Profiling (Basic)] - Cost: 4,000 Gold
[Data Access: Synkar Archive - Historical Hawthorne Cipher Keys (Outdated/Partial)] - Cost: 3,500 Gold
Rhyse noted the distinction carefully. Passive Skills like Elementary Cryptography required a one-time "Integration Cost" to permanently become part of his understanding. Activatable Skills like the Reinforced Personal Ward or Rapid Assessment, however, were simply available now that he was Tier 1. The listed "Cost" was what the System would draw from the Network each time he chose to use them. There was no initial fee to "unlock" their availability beyond reaching the necessary System Tier. This made his vast wealth a direct conduit to on-demand power.
Before exploring the new Tier 1 acquisitions further, Rhyse checked his [STATUS] screen, specifically his list of acquired skills. The [Skill: Basic Threat Assessment (Rank 0)] was there, its free use expended. And alongside it was the other reward he'd received for the initial phase of the now-superseded "Secure loyal personal protection" Task:
[Skill: Summon Basic Bodyguard (Rank 1-2)]
Effect: Summons a single temporary, loyal construct of solidified Synkar Core energy for personal protection. Construct rank matches user's current System Tier, up to a maximum of Rank 2 with this skill.
Current Summonable Construct Rank: Rank 1 (as Host System Tier is 1).
Attributes (Rank 1 Construct): Basic combat protocols, rudimentary shielding, standard energy blade.
Duration: 1 Hour.
Mana Cost: N/A (Synkar Core Energy).
Summoning Limit: One active construct of this type at a time. Attempting to summon another while one is active will fail.
Activation Cost: 500 Gold Sovereigns.
So, the skill itself was designated "Rank 1-2," meaning its potential was tied to his own System Tier, currently allowing him to summon a Rank 1 construct. If his System Tier increased, this same skill would allow him to summon a more powerful, Rank 2 version. It wasn't an army, but it was a crucial, adaptable emergency button. This made much more sense as a reward from a task designated for Rank 1-2 bodyguards.
After this, his mental command to acquire the [Passive Skill: Elementary Cryptography (Rank 1)] was swift and decisive.
[Confirm Acquisition: Passive Skill: Elementary Cryptography (Rank 1)? Cost: 2,000 Gold Sovereigns. Funds drawn from Synkar Network Account.][Y/N]
Yes.
The confirmation processed instantly, the Network link acknowledging the expenditure with its usual subtle hum. Then, a different kind of System response began – not a temporary boost or an active ability, but a fundamental shift in his understanding.
It was like a hidden chamber in his mind suddenly being illuminated. Complex patterns of runic logic, the foundational principles of ciphers, and the subtle energies involved in common shielding formations began to arrange themselves into a coherent framework. He didn't just learn facts; he gained an intuitive grasp of how basic encryption worked, how rune sequences could be layered for obfuscation, and the common vulnerabilities of simpler magical codes. It was as if the inherent knowledge an apprentice Ward Technician might spend a year diligently studying – the core concepts of protecting and deciphering magical information – was now an intrinsic part of his thought process. This wasn't a spell to cast, but a lens through which he could now perceive a hidden layer of the world. The System confirmed the passive integration: [Passive Skill: Elementary Cryptography (Rank 1)].
Rhyse blinked, absorbing the subtle but profound shift in his understanding. The direct imprinting of knowledge, the way the System could make foundational concepts simply part of him, was both astonishing and slightly unnerving. It wasn't just learning; it was an integration, bypassing years of conventional study. If the System could grant passive understanding like this, the potential for his own growth, even without mana or aura, felt suddenly vast. It was a power that relied on comprehension and application, not raw energy – a power perfectly suited to his circumstances.
His gaze returned to the [ACQUISITION - TIER 1] list, his mind now buzzing with the implications of this new form of System enhancement.
The [Skill: Rapid Assessment (Personnel - Rank 1)] for 2,500 Gold immediately drew his attention. The Basic Integrity Scan had proven invaluable in vetting his new team, providing a crucial layer of insight. An upgraded version, promising "faster, slightly more detailed integrity/capability scan," would be a direct enhancement to his ability to judge those around him – an essential tool in his current snake pit of a household. With Marius and Livia's duplicity now strongly suspected, and the loyalty of figures like Captain Marek still in question, being able to quickly and more accurately assess individuals was paramount for his survival. This was an active skill, one he'd need to consciously deploy, but its utility was obvious.
Then there was the [Passive Skill: Basic Leadership Aura (Passive - Rank 0)]. At 3,000 Gold, it was the most expensive skill on the immediate list, and only Rank 0. The description – "Minor positive influence on direct subordinates" – was vague, yet it resonated with a deep-seated need. He was a thirteen-year-old boy attempting to command seasoned veterans, manage a vast empire, and navigate treacherous political waters. Any edge, however slight, in bolstering his natural authority, in making his commands more readily accepted, in fostering a sense of unity among those loyal to him, would be worth a significant investment. Being a passive skill meant it would always be active, subtly working in the background. It wouldn't make people blindly obey, he surmised, but it might just smooth the rough edges of his youth and inexperience in their perception. This, too, felt less like a luxury and more like a foundational tool for the immense task ahead.
With the Synkar Network's vast resources at his disposal via the Core, the 3,000 Gold cost was insignificant if it provided even a marginal, constant advantage.
He made the decision without further delay. Acquire Passive Skill: Basic Leadership Aura (Rank 0).
[Confirm Acquisition: Passive Skill: Basic Leadership Aura (Passive - Rank 0)? Cost: 3,000 Gold Sovereigns. Funds drawn from Synkar Network Account.]
[Y/N]
Yes.
The confirmation chimed. Unlike the flood of direct knowledge from the Cryptography skill, the activation of the Leadership Aura was far more subtle. There was no sudden insight, no new understanding imprinted on his mind. Instead, Rhyse felt a faint, almost imperceptible warmth emanating from the Synkar Core, a subtle shift in his own internal resonance. It was less a feeling of gaining something new and more like something already within him – the inherent authority of his lineage, perhaps – being gently amplified, polished, and projected outwards on a subconscious level.
He wouldn't suddenly become a charismatic orator or a seasoned commander. But he suspected that when he next gave an order, or addressed his new team, there might be a subtle, almost unnoticeable increase in the weight of his words, a slight diminution of any doubt stemming purely from his youth. It was the most expensive single skill he'd acquired from Tier 1 so far, yet its passive, ever-present nature might prove to be one of his most crucial early assets in navigating the challenges ahead. The System confirmed its status: [Passive Skill: Basic Leadership Aura (Rank 0) - Permanently Active].
With his immediate skill acquisitions made, Rhyse's attention drifted to the newly listed Schematics under Tier 1. The [Schematic: Minor Alert Rune] and the [Schematic: Personalized Warding Amulet (Rank 0 Defense)] were particularly intriguing. These offered a path, however rudimentary, towards creating his own physical defenses and tools – a direct, personal application of the Synkar legacy, guided by the System.
He knew the standard alert runes and warding amulets produced by Synkar Industries proper were probably far more sophisticated, the product of generations of refinement since the Nexus Architect, his great-grandfather Theron, had first laid the foundations of their magitech empire. Theron, too, must have started with principles, perhaps even similar foundational concepts provided by an earlier iteration of this very System.
These System schematics, Rhyse thought, were likely tailored for him – for someone with no innate magical ability, learning the very basics of Mana-Tech Crafting through the Core's power. They were probably designs he could execute personally with his newly unlocked [BASIC MANA-TECH CRAFTING] function, perhaps requiring minimal external resources. And items crafted through the System… they might possess unique properties, a special attunement to him or his Core, offering advantages beyond their raw power level. It was a way to learn, to create, and perhaps to eventually bridge the gap to the advanced marvels his family was known for. He made a firm mental note to explore the crafting interface thoroughly, especially with Technician Aris Thorne now part of his team – Thorne's practical expertise would be invaluable in understanding even these basic schematics.
Finally, his gaze fell upon the items listed under the newly titled category, [ANALYTICAL AIDS & DATA ACCESS (Tier 1)]:
[Analytical Framework: Hostile Faction Profiling (Basic)] - Cost: 4,000 Gold
[Data Access: Synkar Archive - Historical Hawthorne Cipher Keys (Outdated/Partial)] - Cost: 3,500 Gold
These were tempting. The "Hostile Faction Profiling" framework wasn't a dossier filled with ready-made answers about specific hostile factions, but the System described it as a structured mental model, a set of key analytical questions and comparative methodologies designed to help him (and by extension, Lyra) process raw intelligence more effectively, identifying patterns, power structures, and potential motivations within enemy groups. It was a tool to enhance their own investigation, not replace it.
Similarly, the "Historical Hawthorne Cipher Keys" wouldn't magically unlock Livia's current warded transmissions. The System noted it as "Outdated/Partial" access to what the Synkar archives already held on older Hawthorne encryption methods. However, with his newly acquired [Passive Skill: Elementary Cryptography (Rank 1)], this historical data could provide vital clues, practice material, or a foundation for understanding the evolution of Hawthorne ciphers, potentially revealing weaknesses even in their modern iterations.
He considered Lyra, who would be tasked with observing Marius and Livia. Her skills were in active information gathering. These System offerings felt like they would complement her fieldwork, providing Rhyse with the means to better interpret and direct her findings, and to contribute his own analytical insights. It was more strategically sound to invest in tools that empowered his team and his own understanding rather than seeking simple, potentially incomplete, pre-packaged answers that might quickly become obsolete or duplicate Lyra's efforts. He would hold off on these specific purchases for now, wanting to see Lyra's initial reports and test his own cryptographic insights first, but they were now valuable options in his System toolkit.
For now, his immediate acquisitions were complete. He had enhanced his ability to assess threats and individuals (both passively through cryptography and actively through rapid assessment techniques), subtly bolstered his inherent authority, and gained foundational tools for future intelligence work. The direct defenses, like the [Reinforced Personal Ward (Rank 1)], could wait until he had a clearer picture of immediate needs or before venturing into less secure areas. His summoned bodyguard and the Basic Ward provided an emergency buffer for the moment.
He wanted to discuss strategy with his team in the morning before investing further. The reports from Valerius also loomed – a mountain of them still sat on the conference table, a task for daylight hours and a clearer head.
Rhyse felt the familiar restlessness creep in. The day had been a whirlwind of fear, calculation, and unexpected empowerment. He needed to move, to clear his thoughts. His father's study, even with its bolstered defenses, felt confining. The training hall, called to him.
Beafore leaving, Rhyse was visited by a woman who embodied the very essence of the Ancestral Manor's inner workings. The Seasoned Head Maid, Meryld, stood at the doorway of his study, her presence announced by a soft knock that was more courtesy than necessity. Her age was etched on her face, a map of lines and gentle folds that spoke of decades of dedication, yet her eyes sparkled with a keen intelligence, a window to a spirit that remained as sharp as the starched linen of her uniform. No one knew how old she was, just that she had served House Synkar for a long time.
"Good evening, Master Rhyse," she greeted, her voice a gentle brook that belied the steel beneath. "I hope I'm not interrupting. I thought it prudent to check in."
Rhyse, caught in the midst of his thoughts, rose from his chair, a gesture of respect towards the woman who had been a constant in his life, a figure of authority and comfort. "Not at all, Meryld. Please, come in."
She entered with the quiet efficiency that characterized her every move, her gaze sweeping the room with an intensity that missed nothing. Her eyes lingered on the scattered reports and the various implements of his father's study before returning to him. "I hope you're coping, Master Rhyse. The staff is adapting to the new circumstances."
Rhyse appreciated the unspoken understanding in her words. The staff, much like himself, were navigating uncharted waters, and Meryld was the steady hand guiding them through it. "I'm doing my best, Meryld. It's been a challenging day."
Meryld's expression softened slightly, a rare display of warmth from a woman known for her composure. "I'm sure it has, Master Rhyse. If there's anything you need, anything at all, you know you can rely on me and the staff. We've served House Synkar for a long time."
Her loyalty was not just to the family but to the ideal of House Synkar itself, a dedication that Rhyse found deeply reassuring. He nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards this woman who had known him since he was a child, who had seen him grow, and who now stood as a pillar of strength in these uncertain times. "Thank you. That means a lot to me."
She nodded slightly, her expression reverting to its customary composed demeanor, as she acknowledged his gratitude. "I'll let you get some rest, Master Rhyse. If you need anything during the night, please don't hesitate to call."
As she departed, leaving behind a trail of the subtle scent of lavender and the soft click of the door closing, Rhyse felt a sense of peace settle over him. Meryld's visit was a reminder that he wasn't alone; there were those like her, steadfast and loyal, who would stand by him through the trials ahead. He finally rose and quietly left the study. He focused his hearing – the Sensory Boost from earlier had long since faded – but he could still detect the faint, almost subliminal thrum of the two Core Guard members Captain Marek had assigned. They were somewhere nearby, unseen, a silent, reassuring presence.
The corridors of the personal wing were dimly lit by passive glow-globes, casting long shadows. The training hall was at the far end, usually deserted at this hour. He pushed open the heavy, sound-dampened doors and stepped inside. Moonlight streamed through the high, arched windows, painting silver stripes across the polished floor. Racks of practice weapons – swords, blunted estocs, weighted staves, etc – lined one wall. The air smelled faintly of weapon oil, old leather, and faint exertion.
He selected a familiar practice sword, its weight and balance a comforting extension of his arm. Despite his inability to channel mana or aura, Rhyse had dedicated years to swordsmanship, his instructors often praising his natural speed, precision, and keen eye. It was the one physical discipline where he felt truly competent, a way to connect with the warrior lineage of his father, even if he could never fully emulate it. His progress had plateaued when more advanced techniques required arcane prowess, but the foundational forms were deeply ingrained.
He moved to the center of the vast room, falling into a sequence of warm-up exercises – flowing parries, quick lunges, precise disengages. For several minutes, the world narrowed to the whisper of his blade through the air, the controlled rhythm of his breathing, the familiar strain in his muscles. The weight of being Rhyse Synkar, Head of House, System Host, target… it all momentarily receded.
He was executing a complex feint, shifting his weight smoothly, when an almost inaudible sound reached him – the scrape of soft leather against stone, coming from outside one of the high, moonlit windows. It was a sound that didn't belong.
His head snapped up, every nerve ending suddenly alight.
Simultaneously, the System flashed an urgent, crimson alert directly into his mind's eye, overriding any other thought:
[CRITICAL ALERT: Multiple Hostile Arcane Signatures Detected - Stealth Wards Breached! Imminent Physical Threat - Sector: Training Hall!]*
Before he could fully process the warning, three dark shapes detached themselves from the deeper shadows beneath separate windows. They dropped to the floor with a preternatural silence, their movements fluid and coordinated, like hunting beasts. Clad head-to-toe in dark, non-reflective gear that absorbed the moonlight, they fanned out, instantly cutting off the main exit. Short, wickedly curved blades, matte black and hungry, appeared in their hands. Assassins. No doubt sent by those who had learned of his efforts to assemble a personal guard, their timeline accelerated.
Terror, cold and absolute, lanced through Rhyse. He gripped the practice sword, its light weight suddenly feeling like a child's toy. The Core Guard members – were they close enough? Could they react in time through the manor's labyrinthine corridors?
His mind, spurred by a desperate survival instinct, latched onto the System.
Activate Skill: Summon Basic Bodyguard! he screamed internally, the command fueled by a surge of pure adrenaline. The Synkar Network pulsed in response.
[500 Gold Sovereigns Expended.]
[Summoning Basic Bodyguard (Rank 1)... Construct Materializing...]
Even as the command went through, he knew it wouldn't be enough against three. His gaze darted to the nearest assassin, who was already beginning a silent, predatory advance.
Reinforced Ward! Now!
[1500 Gold Sovereigns Expended.]
[Activating System Effect: Reinforced Personal Ward (Rank 1). Duration: 30 Minutes. Activation Cost: 1500 Gold Sovereigns. Funds drawn from Synkar Network Account.]
A faint, shimmering aura of protective energy coalesced around him just as the assassin lunged, a silent blur of deadly intent. In the space between Rhyse and the attacker, lines of azure light rapidly solidified, taking the form of a featureless, humanoid construct. It was armed with a simple, glowing short-sword of pure energy and a similarly manifested shield. Rhyse's summoned protector.
Clang!
The assassin's dark blade met the construct's energy shield with a jarring impact that echoed through the suddenly silent training hall. Sparks erupted as dark metal ground against solidified magic. The summoned bodyguard, though only Rank 1, held its ground against the initial onslaught, its own energy sword already lashing out in a swift counter-attack.
The momentary reprieve was all Rhyse had. The other two assassins were already moving, flanking, their dark eyes fixed on him, the true target. He backed away, the Reinforced Ward his only personal defense, his heart pounding like a war drum, the nearly useless practice sword held in a desperate, trembling guard. His first true battle for survival had begun.